i dont know what changes they made for the jk manual drivetrain i have a tj an lj and a cj before them all manual trannys i would not want to drive any of them in chicagoland traffic on a regular basis when i worked that area i had use of a company car and even the auto tranny sucked from what you have described i would lean towards the lj you mentioned that you reverse commute do you have the ability to secure a jeep in the city or near burbs not sure where you are they are an easy mark for breakins